Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history, from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson

Larry Bird, Jerry West and Carmelo Anthony Primary became famous in the NCAA Event.

Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Jimmer Fredette created the beginnings of their basketball legacies in the madness of March.

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With the men’s tourney returning to finish off the 2024-25 basketball season, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the latest big name in the college game.

Auburn, Houston, Florida and Duke are the No. 1 seeds on the way to the Closing Four in San Antonio, Texas.

But it’s Tough to imagine any player topping Kemba Walker’s Unbelievable Stretch in 2010-11, which ended with Connecticut lifting a Honor.

Here is talkSPORT’s Achievement of the 10 greatest players in NCAA men’s Event history.

10. Kemba Walker, Connecticut

Walker averaged 23.5 points, Began 41 Matches, and carried the Huskies to the peak of The Dance.

It’s Tough to be better than that in March.

The future NBA guard and No. 9 overall draft Option had a solid pro Profession.

But Walker was at his best on the college hardwood, sinking huge Delayed-game shots and reminding the world about the power of staying in school.

He played for Connecticut for three years and gradually built toward his 2010-11 breakthrough.

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9. Magic Johnson, Michigan State

Johnson was almost a walking triple-double, averaging 17.1 points, 7.9 assists and 7.6 Recoveries during his two years with the Spartans.

He also played in one of the most famous Matches in basketball history.

The 1979 national Division featured Larry Bird and Indiana State vs the future Los Angeles Lakers legend and Michigan State.

Johnson Obtained the best of Bird, 75-64, igniting a rivalry that soon turned the NBA into one of the world’s most popular sports.

8. Glen Rice, Michigan

Rice was dominant from 1986-89 and spent four years at Michigan.

In 2025, one-and-done dominates college basketball.

Rice was the exact opposite, Competing 134 Matches (101 Appearances) for the Wolverines and walking away as a champion.

He averaged 25.6 points and 6.4 Recoveries as a senior, then became the No. 4 overall Option of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat.

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7. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston

One of the best big men in NBA history is also one of the best big men in college basketball history.

The Dream Began his hardwood art with the Cougars, averaging 16.8 points, 13.5 Recoveries and a staggering 5.6 Deflections in 1983-84 while being named an All-American.

Houston fell to Georgetown in the national Division game.

But Olajuwon soon became the No. 1 overall Option of a 1984 draft that included five future Hall of Famers.

6. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati

Three unbelievable seasons at Cincinnati.

Three All-American selections.

Throw in stats that are Yet surreal (33.8 points, 15.2 Recoveries, 7.1 assists), and one of the most underrated players in basketball history was clearly ahead of his time in college.

Robertson Directed the NCAA in scoring for three consecutive seasons, then became a 12-time All-Sun in the pros.

The No. 1 Option of the 1960 NBA Draft set the stage for Russell Westbrook and all the crafty guards who followed the Big O.

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5. Patrick Ewing, Georgetown

Ewing is also one of the best big men in NBA history, and he was more dominant that Olajuwon in college.

He played in 143 Matches, averaged 15.3 points and 9.2 Recoveries, and earned three All-American selections.

The Hoyas won it all in 1983-84, then fell 66-64 to Villanova a year later.

Georgetown has never been as Excellent since the future New York Knicks inside force went to the pros.

Ewing also had a better college Profession than Air Jordan, who failed to make this top 10 Regardless of his NCAA heroism.

4. Danny Manning, Kansas

The pro disappointment was a college dream.

Manning Directed Kanas all the way in 1987-88, again proving the value of Competing all four years.

He averaged 14.6 points as a Newcomer, 16.7 as a sophomore, 23.9 as a junior and 24.8 as a senior, earning honor after honor.

The three-time All-American won the Wooden and Naismith Awards, and was named to the NCAA All-Event Club.

Manning played 15 seasons in the NBA, Achieved two All-Sun Clubs and won Sixth Man of the Year.

But he’ll always be associated with the Jayhawks.

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3. Christian Laettner, Duke

One of the best players in NCAA March Madness history was also one of the most controversial.

It’s Tough to imagine a Laettner-type existing in 2025.

The two-time NCAA champion earned his stripes with the Blue Devils, rising from 16 Appearances and 8.9 average points as a Newcomer into 35 Appearances and 21.5 points as a senior.

Laettner went back-to-back before the one-and-dones Secured over, becoming the face of the college game when it was peaking in America.

He was so Excellent that he was the only college player on the Dream Club, the best Club in basketball history.

2. Bill Walton, UCLA

Walton averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 Recoveries while being named Player of the Year — as a sophomore.

The three-time Naismith Award winner Achieved three NCAA All-Event Clubs and earned three All-American selections.

Add in two NCAA Competitions, and one of the most unique players in basketball history was only topped by one other player in March Madness history.

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1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA

Also known as Lew Alcindor.

And a three-time NCAA champion whose college name is Yet revered more than 50 years later.

The future NBA No. 1 Option and Lakers legend was the centerpiece of John Wooden’s Bruins dynasty.

Abdul-Jabbar averaged 26.4 points and 15.5 Recoveries while shooting an awesome 63.9 percent from the Ground.

He was a three-time All-American who developed an unguardable Attempt, then became a basketball icon.